Roundabout amusement device



N 17, 1953 E. c. SIVERTS 2,659,601

ROUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Inventor Edward 6! .Siverfs 4 By Mm N man #4409 3M5? Nov. 17, 1953 E. c.swam-s 2,659,601

ROUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sh e 2 k0 is;

Q N O Inventor Edward G Siverts Attorneys Nov. 17, 1953 E. c. SIVERTS2,659,601

ROUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 5Inventor Edward 6. Siverfs B,- gmH-Mm 1953 1:. c. SIVERTS 2,659,601

ROUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Inventor Edward 0. Siverfs A Home Patented Nov. 17, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE Y 2,659,601 I BOUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Edward Siverts,Glendive, Mont. I Application January 17, 1951, Serial No. 206,329 6Claims. (01. 272-36) The present invention relates to improvements inamusement devicespand more particularly to a roundabout. p

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved roundaboutwherein the radially extending arms carrying the buckets are supported.at intermediate portions thereon by means of rollers engaged with acircular track.

A further object of the present invention provides an improvedroundabout wherein the circular track is of undulated constructionwhereby the buckets will be substantially vertically reciprocated uponrotation of the central frame means to which the radially extending armsare connected.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means foroscillating the buckets about an axis lying in a horizontal plane andperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arms.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pair ofbuckets on the ends of each of the arms and wherein each of the bucketsis oscillatable about a common axis and adapted to oscillate oppositelyto the second bucket whereby the two buckets on each arm are oscillatingin opposite directions while rotating about the central axis of theroundabout.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a positive meansfor efiecting relatively opposite oscillatory movement to each of thepairs of buckets.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from thedetailed description to follow. The best form in which I havecontemplated applying my invention is clearly illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of theentire roundabout with parts brokenaway;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the roundabout of Figure 1 withthe buckets secured to the outer end of an arm shown in variousoscillat-ed and vertically displaced positions by dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a top plan view, enlarged from Figure 1 showing the detailsof the means for oscillating the buckets;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantiallyalong the. plane of line 4--4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the roundabout showing thedetails of the means for efiecting reversing movement of the cable whichis in turn adapted to efiect oscillation of the buckets; and J Figure 6is a detail elevational view showing one of the arms supporting a bucketwith the roller on the arm being disposed on the circular track. l

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numeralsdesignate like parts throughout, thernumeral l0 designates generally thecentral frame means upon which the drive means i2 is mounted and whichrotatably supports rotating structure of the roundabout, the numeral Hidesignates generally the rotating censtral frame means to which theplurality .of radially extending arms I6 are secured for rotationtherewith. The numeral l8 designates generally the circular track, thenumeral .20 designates generally the pair of buckets supported on theother end of each of the arms Iii, the numeral 13% designates generallythe cable means for effect ing oscillating movement of the buckets 2tand the numeral 25 designates generally the means for effectingreversing movement of the cable means I30, the means 24 being mounted onthe rotating central frame means i4. I

The central frame means I6 is comprised of a plurality of verticallydisposed bars 26 which are disposed in parallel spaced relation andjoined by the non-circular elements 28 and 30. A plurality of radiallydisposed bars 65 extend inwardly from the elements and have a bearingring 63 supported thereon for rotatably receiving the sleeve 62. V i i Abearing support 32 is supported within the supporting frame [0 by meansof a plurality of inclined rods 34 which have their upper ends securedto the non-circular ring 28 while: their lowermost ends are suitablysecured to the enlarged head 36 of the bearing shaft 38.

The drive for the roundabout includes the drive shaft 40 which isconnected to the power reduction and gearing arrangement 42 which has apinion 44 secured to the upper end of the driven shaft 46.

The circular track 18 is comprised of a substantially circular bar 48and an upper bar 50 of undulated configuration, the bars 48 and 50 beingjoined by a plurality of upwardly and out- 50. The lower bar 48 has aplurality of down-- wardly extending supporting standards 56 ex-*tending therefrom for supporting the entire roundabout on a groundsurface. A plurality of interconnecting bars 58 are provided forsecuring the circular frame it to the supporting frame It, the innerends of the bars 58 being secured to the non-circular ring 28 while theouter ends of the bars 58 are secured to the lower ring 48 by means ofthe brackets 60. Additional bracing struts are provided forinterconnecting the lower angle iron ring 30 with the lower rings 48whereby the circular track I8 and central supporting frame will befixedly positioned with respect to each other to form a single unit.

The rotating central frame means I4 is comprised of a bearing sleeve 62which is rotatably disposed on the bearing shaft 38 and has a pluralityof radially extending and downwardly inclined supporting bars 64connected therewith. The outer ends of the bars 64 are fixedly securedto the polygonal member 66 to which the plurality of arms 60 areconnected. A pluralityofhorizontally disposed and radially extendingrodsI 66 interconnect the polygonal element with die H3 and vice versa.

The means 22 for effecting opposite oscillating movement of the pair ofbuckets on the other end of each of the arms I6 includes the spindles H2and H3 supported by the individual shafts H and III rotatably receivedwithin the bearing sleeve 93. An endless cable I30 is engaged over thecentral portions of the spindles H2 and H3 and a sheave I32 is supportedbetween the rod portions 96 and the lower rods SI of the arms I6 wherebythe cable I30 may travel from one of the spindles II2 to the other spin-The cable I30 extends inwardly to the attaching means 80 and isrotatably disposed over the pair of sheaves I36 the sleeve 62 and aninternal gear 10 -is supported by the bars 68, as shown best in Figure4.

U'shaped rods 12 overlie the rods 68. and have their leg portionsextending through the internal gear 10 with nuts I4 threaded ontheirsends. An. enlarged nut 161s threadedly engaged on the upper end ofthe gearing shaft 36 for retaining the rotating central frame means fromvertical displacement.

The means for securing the arms I6 to the central rotating frame It isbest shown in Figure 3 as comprising the attaching means 80. Theattaching means 80 includes a bar 82 which is maintained in spacedrelation to the flat face 84 of the polygonal member 66 by means of theplurality of attaching ears 86, 88, 90 and 92. I Each of the arms I6 iscomprised of a pair of outwardly extending converging rods 9| which havetheir outer ends joined together by means of the sleeve 93. A pair ofupper rods 84- are angulated at their central portions so that theiroutermost portions 96 are substantially joined together while-theirinner portions diverge for connection to the bar 82 and outer portionsthereof. A plurality of rigidifying bars I00 connect intermediateportions of the rods 94 and 9| to provide rigid individual units. TheOuter ends of the upper rods 94 are also integrally connected to thesleeve 63. It will thus be seenthat as the central frame is rotated, theattaching means 80 will effect rotation ofthe arms I6therewith. I I

The means for supporting the arms I6 on the circular track I8 iscomprised ofa pair of bearing brackets I02 and I04 in which is rotatablydisposed a roller or wheel I06 which'is adapted to be engaged on theupper surface of the track 50.

Rotatably supported in the bearing sleeve 93 are a pair of rocker shaftsIIO. Each of the rocker shafts III! has a spindle H2 secured thereon forrotation therewith and a bucket II4 provided with an attaching member H6is secured to the outer end of each of the bucket shafts H0 and spindlesII2 by means of the screws H8 and nuts I20. The attaching member H6 isfixedly secured to the inner wall I22 of the bucket II4.

Each of the buckets H4 is formed of a body portion I24 having an accessopening I26 and a screen covering I28 thereover. Of course, suitablemeans may be provided within the bucket for. comfortably seatingoccupants and for strapping the occupants therein, as is conventional inamusement devices of the present type.

. and I38, the sheaves I36 and I38 being rotatably supported by'theattaching ears 88 and 90. "The; means, for effecting reversing movementof the cable I30 is best disclosed in Figures 3; 4 and 5 and includes asa driving power the electric motor supported on the platform I40 whichis in turn fixedly secured to the radially extending rods 64 of thecentral frame means I4. A second platform I42 is supported on the rods64 at intermediate portions thereof and has as heave- I44 rotatablydisposed thereon whereby the rotating drive of the motor may beconverted to a rotating drive of the vertical shaft I46. -The shaft I46is supported in the bearing element I41 and has its lower end supportingthe disk I40 forrotation in a horizontal plane and above the Plane ofthe rotating non-circular member 66.

Figure 5 shows an oscillating frame comprised of a plurality of radiallyextending shafts I50 having their innermost ends connected by thebearing sleeve I52 and having their outermost ends integrally connectedtogether by means ofthe joinder rods I54. 'Ihe'sleeve' I52 is rotatablydisposed about the bearing sleeve 62 and is held in vertical support bymeans of the bearing ring I56. An intermediate portion of the radiallyextending rod I50 is provided with an upwardly'projecting pin I58. Thelower surface of the disk I48 is formed with an eccentric groove I whichis adapted to receive the pin I58. It will thus be seen that when themotor is actuated, the disk I48 will be rotatedit will effect operatingmovement'of the oscillating'frarne with respect to the central rotatingframe I4.

The outer ends of the rods I50 are formed with downwardly extendingportions I62 which are clampingly engaged withthe cable I 30. by meansof the complementary brackets I64 and I66.

In view of the foregoing description of the construction of theroundabout of the present invention, it is believed that one skilled inthe art'will readily understand the operation thereof. When. thedriveshaft 40 is actuated, rotating movement is imparted to the internal gear10 and the central rotating frame I4 to a suit ble dnc iqe seer rran emea 2- na much as the plurality of arms I6 are fixedlysecured to thecentral rotating, frame I4, the arms will rotate therewith. ,At the.same time that thearms I6 are. rotating, intermediate; portions thereofare supported by the circular track. I8 and a vertical pivoting movementis imparted to the arms because of the undulated configuration of theupper track rod. When it is desired to effect oscillating movement tothe buckets 20, a pair of buckets being provided on the outer en f h ofhe arm Hi. h o r M sa tuated, thereby effecting rotating movement of thedisk I48. The oscillating frame will thereby he oscillated with respectto the central rotating frame M by means of the cooperation between thepin I58 and the groove I60 on the disk I48 inasmuch as the oscillatingframe is connected to the cable I30, reciprocation of the cable will beeffected. It Will further be seen that inasmuch as the individualbuckets of the pair of buckets on each of the arms l6 are separatelysupported on individual shafts H0 and III, opposite rotation of thespindles H2 and I I3 will be produced by reciprocation ofthe cable I30,thereby imparting opposite oscillating movement to the buckets on eacharm.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A roundabout comprising a central frame means mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis, a plurality of radially extending arms connectedto said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary trackconcentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlyingintermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at saidintermediate portions thereof for engagement with said track, and eachof said arms having a pair of buckets oscillatable about a common axisand oscillatably carried by their respective arm, said buckets beingoscillatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to said arms, andmeans for effecting relatively opposite oscillatory movement of thebuckets of each pair of buckets, said last named means including a powerrotated disk mounted on said central frame means, endless cable meansmounted on each of said arms and connected to said buckets for effectingoscillating movement thereof upon reversing movement of said cablemeans, and means interconnecting said disk with said cable wherebyrotation of said disk will effect reciprocation of said cable:

2. A roundabout comprising a central frame means mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis, a plurality of radially extending arms connectedto said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary trackconcentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlyingintermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at saidintermediate portions thereof for engagement with said track, and eachof said arms having a pair of buckets oscillatable about a common axisand oscillatably carried by their respective arm, said buckets beingoscillatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to said arms, andmeans for effecting relatively opposite oscillatory movement of thebuckets of each pair of buckets, said last named means including a powerrotated disk mounted on said central frame means, endless cable meansmounted on each of said arms and connected to said buckets for effectingoscillating movement thereof upon reversing movement of said cablemeans, an eccentric groove in one face of said disk, a rocker frameoscillatably mounted on said central frame means for rotation therewith,a pin connected to said rocker framemeans and engaged in said groovewhereby rotation of said disk will effect oscillating movement of saidrocker frame with respect to said central frame means, said rocker framehaving outwardly extending fingers connected to said cable means forreciprocating the same.

3. A roundabout comprising a central frame means mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis, a plurality of radially extending arms con- 6.nected to said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationarytrack concentrically disposed about said central frame means andunderlying intermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on saidarms at said intermediate portions thereof for engagement with'saidtrack, and each of said arms having a pair of buckets oscillatable abouta common axis and oscillatably carried by their respective arm, saidbuckets being oscillatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to saidarms, and means for effecting relatively opposite oscillatory movementof the buckets of each pair of buckets, said last named means includinga power rotated disk mounted on said central frame means, endless cablemeans mounted on each of said arms and connected to said buckets foreffecting oscillating movement thereof upon reversing movement of saidcable means, an eccentric groove in one face of said disk, a rockerframe oscillatably mounted on said central frame means for rotationtherewith, a pin connected to said rocker frame means and engaged insaid groove whereby rotation of said disk will effect oscillatingmovement of said rocker frame with respect to said central frame means,said rocker frame having outwardly extending fingers connected to saidcable means for reciprocating the same, said cable means being comprisedof an endless cable supported on a plurality of sheaves secured to saidarms.

4. In a roundabout having a central frame means mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis, a plurality of radially extending arms connectedto said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary trackconcentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlyingintermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at saidintermediate portions thereof for engagement with said track, andbuckets for supporting passengers, said buckets being oscillatablyconnected to said arms; the improvement comprising the connecting ofsaid buckets in pairs on each of said radially extending arms, saidbuckets being separately rotatably mounted on shafts carried by theouter ends of said arms, means for effecting opposite oscillatorymovement of the buckets of each pair, said means being responsive tomovement of an oscillatable frame carried by said central frame meansfor rotation therewith, and means for oscillating said oscillatableframe.

5. In a roundabout having a central frame means mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis, a plurality of radially extending arms connectedto said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary trackconcentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlyingintermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at saidintermediate portions thereof, for engagement with said track, and eachof said arms having a pair of buckets oscillatable about a common shaftand oscillatably carried by their respective arm; the improvementcomprising means for effecting opposite oscillatory movement to thebuckets of each pair, said means including a power rotated disk mountedon said central frame means, an endless cable mounted on each of saidarms and connected to said buckets for effecting oscillating movementthereof upon reversing movement of said cable, and an oscillatable framecarried by said central frame means interconnecting said disk with saidcables whereby rotation of the disk will efifect reciprocation of saidcables.

6. A roundabout comprising a central frame means mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis; a. plurality of radially extending arms connectedto said central frame means for rotation therewith, a stationary trackconcentrically disposed about said central frame means and underlyingintermediate portions of said arms, rollers carried on said arms at saidintermediate portions thereof for engagement with said track, and eachof said arms having a pair of buckets oscillatable about a common axisand oscillatably carried by their respective arm, said buckets beingoscillatable about a horizontal axis perpendicular to said arms, meansfor efiecting relatively opposite oscillatory movement of the buckets ofeach pair of buckets, said means being responsive to movement of anoscillatable frame carried by said central frame means, and means foroscillating said oscillatable frame, said track being of undulatedconstruction whereby said buckets will be reciprocated in asubstantially vertical direction 5 upon rotation of said central framemeans.

EDWARD C. SIVERTS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,346,576 Welch July 13, 1920 2,101,274 Stanzel Dec. 7, 19372,412,060 Pasaila Dec. 3, 1946 Restall Dec. 21, 1948

